New German Vice-Chancellor A 'Super' Minister Of Energy, Climate, Economy

Robert Habeck has harnessed his soft-spoken charm as a powerful draw for the ecologist outfit, which is serving as a kingmaker in the new coalition under Olaf Scholz.

Robert Habeck, who will lead a new "super ministry" for climate, energy and the economy in the incoming German government, is the urbane Greens co-leader who helped turn the party into a major electoral force.

The 52-year-old philosopher and author has harnessed his soft-spoken charm as a powerful draw for the ecologist outfit, which is serving as a kingmaker in the new three-way coalition under designated chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Habeck was long seen as a possible finance minister, holding the purse strings in Europe's top economy as it ploughs billions into a greener economy, but he lost a tug-of-war to the leader of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), Christian Lindner.

Now nearly two months of wrangling has seen Habeck clinch an attractive consolation prize -- a new power centre combining authority for the economy, climate protection and energy policy.